Newly acquired UFC heavyweight and former PRIDE champion Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic’s camp wanted to “milk” the fighter’s contract by putting off a title shot, which led to his upset loss to Gabriel Gonzaga at this past weekend’s UFC 70 event, according to UFC president Dana White.

White made the statement to a reporter for an latimes.com story published last night.

According to the report, it wasn’t the UFC’s sole decision to delay Filipovic’s potential title shot with UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture. In fact, White said the decision came from Filipovic’s camp, which wanted to draw out the contract — probably in hopes that the fighter could score a lucrative contract renewal if he became champion.From latimes.com:

If a promotion holds off on a marketable fight with the mentality of building up both fighters, one or both may lose and the proposed fight goes out the window.

That is what happened with Cro Cop, and White suggests that the decision to have Cro Cop face Gonzaga was as much Cro Cop’s decision as UFC’s.

“Cro Cop’s guys wanted to have a couple fights before they fought Randy Couture. And to be honest with you I think they wanted the fights to milk the contract.”

By defeating Filipovic, Gonzaga instead earned the title shot, which is expected to take place in August at UFC 73.Although Filipovic recently stated that he suffered no serious damage from the KO head kick — or the subsequent collapse and bending of his knee, ankle and foot — little information has been available in regards to his future plans. A recent report stated that the Croatian would fulfill the remaining four fights on his UFC contract and then retire, but there’s been no official word from the UFC.Said White:

“No idea. I don’t even know what he wants to do next. I’ll have to talk to his people, see what he’s thinking, see where his head is, no pun intended.“I think he needs to go out and fight a big name guy. Gonzaga’s an awesome fighter but nobody knew who he was.”

The following is an excerpt from an interview with Mirko CroCop translated to english from Vecernji.hr:

Before the fight I was nervous, I was thinking about all sorts of stupid things, I was just in a bad state. Unfortunately, I seem to be that type. I need a rough wake-up call in order to focus again…. After three or four elbows to the temple, I had blurry vision when I stood up. I’m not used to elbows, but that’s my problem. I’m also going to do exercises for my injured ankles.

Maybe he needs a fresh start?? He should start with dumping those nasty bicycle shorts he wears!! Him and Heath Herring must shop at the same spot!!

someone told him checkerboard makes the crotch look bigger

MAYBE THAT SHIT WORKS WITH THE LADIES IN CROATIA BUT HASN"T ANYONE TOLD HIM THE BIG WANG WENT OUT OF STYLE WITH RAYON SHIRTS IN THE 70's??? LMAO!!! NOBODY IS GONNA RUN THE BIG DIRTY HARRY WHEN THEY CAN HAVE THE LITTLE SNUB NOSE 38!!!

Maybe he needs a fresh start?? He should start with dumping those nasty bicycle shorts he wears!! Him and Heath Herring must shop at the same spot!!

someone told him checkerboard makes the crotch look bigger

MAYBE THAT SHIT WORKS WITH THE LADIES IN CROATIA BUT HASN"T ANYONE TOLD HIM THE BIG WANG WENT OUT OF STYLE WITH RAYON SHIRTS IN THE 70's??? LMAO!!! NOBODY IS GONNA RUN THE BIG DIRTY HARRY WHEN THEY CAN HAVE THE LITTLE SNUB NOSE 38!!!

hahahahaha! my girl was watching i love the 80s 3d. they were talking about mesh shirts and those cut off kungfu shirts people used 2 sport in the breakdancing days~! i think we should send crocop one of those!